Who were the primary authors behind the Federalist Papers?

The Federalist Papers were primarily authored by Federalists, specifically Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. These essays were written to promote the ratification of the United States Constitution and to elaborate on the principles that the new government was based upon.

The term "Federalists" refers to those who supported a strong national government and the ratification of the Constitution, in contrast to the Anti-Federalists, who opposed it. The essays collectively sought to address concerns about the proposed Constitution, arguing for the necessity of a strong central government to maintain order and protect individual liberties. Their writings provided insight into the framers' intentions and have been influential in constitutional interpretation.